Alien Quadrilogy (9 Disc Complete Box Set) [DVD]

This new box set sees the re-release of the first four films of the series. I say ‘first four’ as next year will see the release of the long-awaited Alien vs. Predator film, to be followed (if successful) by Alien ‘5’. Box sets by nature are tricky things – when buying one it’s always useful to be aware that the studio will most likely release another box set in years to come with yet more bonus features added – as is true in this case. For those of you who bought the Alien Legacy box set – my sympathy – as the new Alien Quadrilogy appears to have it all…

So what’s new?

Well, this time we have the directors cut of Alien – clocking in at 40 seconds shorter than the original, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were getting less value for money than the ‘79 release. However, Scott’s new cut works well – giving a nip and tuck here and there – trimming off some of the fat so to speak. For those of you who found some of the slower moments of the original hard to sit through – the new version should provide some welcome relief as whilst the air of tension and suspense is still maintained – the pace of the film is quicker. It is also worth noting that the new version also incorporates the much vaunted Dallas cocoon sequence – available only as a deleted scene on previous DVD editions. Whether it works in the final cut is a matter of personal opinion, but for this reviewer – whilst intrigued to see it, my belief is that if wasn’t deemed good enough to make the initial print – then there’s no reason it should really be in the new one. Hard-core fans of the series will no doubt be glad to see its reinsertion though.

The other big new addition is David Finchers work print of Alien 3. Whilst many films have scenes re-shot or removed from the final print – it is interesting to see how much was actually removed from Alien 3 – to put it mildly – there’s quite a bit. In some places it merely fleshes out the story – perhaps giving an image or a sound to an obvious suggestion in the original cut, but in others it gives an entertaining twist on the plot of the film – perhaps most notable of all is the revelation that in the original script the Alien was to be spawned from an Ox – indeed much of the footage was shot with prosthetics, but it was only when the director realised how difficult an ox was to train that they abandoned the concept and re-shot the footage with a dog instead.

In addition to this, Aliens & Alien Resurrection are both faithfully reproduced here – both have bonus features on the additional discs unseen before, but little that’s new is brought to the table. The films themselves are superb pieces of fiction – fascinating on many levels and equally gruesome. Alien and Alien 3 are both masterpieces of suspense and storytelling, Aliens is every action film fans wet dream and Resurrection, whilst by no means the best of the series, is certainly a vastly entertaining film.

Whether or not this box-set is either definitive or a ‘must buy’ remains to be seen, but for fans who have yet to buy any of the movies on DVD I recommend this highly. For those of us with the Alien Legacy box set – my advice is to wait – these editions will almost inevitably be re-released along with any or all of the newer instalments in the years to come.

In the box - you get 9 DVD's with over 40 hrs of films and Extra's.
The clarity of All the DVDS was superb ie you can see the Alien/s as you are supposed to - even in the DARKEST CORNERS!! The remastered sound tracks envelope you with a creeping terror, setting your senses on MAX!
Each 'Alien film release' DVD comes with TWO films burned on it - the 'Theatrical' release and the 'Specially Edited'/'Directors Cut' There are full English subtitles on ALL EIGHT film editions!
Great watching all the new scenes (edited in) on the director's cuts!

We then started to watch ALL the Five DVD Bonus/extra DVD's(fully subtitled - English).
They are a mine of information!! Each bonus DVD is in a documentary format and is highly entertaining in its own right. They explain how they developed the 'idea' for the Alien films, the characters, scenes, in fact, EVERYTHING. All the actors/directors/model makers/ETC are interviewed and talk about their experiences, co-incidences, funny happenings, "accidentally" got the part etc etc

At the end of watching these you should be able to confidently sit down for your specialist subject (The Alien Quadrilogy) on MASTERMIND!

All in all, for a quid an hour, best fourty odd hrs entertainment we have had - probably ever!

Buy it!!